COVID-19, or coronavirus disease 2019, is caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus spreads mainly from person to person, even from someone who is infected but has no symptoms.
The exact origin of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is still unknown. Scientific evidence points to a zoonotic origin, meaning it likely jumped from animals to humans. However, the specific animal host and the circumstances surrounding the initial transmission remain unclear.
Two main hypotheses exist:
- Exposure to an infected animal: This theory suggests that SARS-CoV-2 originated in an animal, such as a bat or a pangolin, and then spread to humans.
- Laboratory leak: This theory suggests that the virus may have accidentally escaped from a laboratory working with coronaviruses.
There is not enough evidence to definitively support either hypothesis. Further research is needed to determine the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
While the exact origin of the virus is still being investigated, we know that COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and spreads primarily through human-to-human contact.
